Wednesday, June 05, 2024

As a department store salesperson, I often learn helpful things. Here’s a valuable tip: Choose striped bed linens because they clearly identify the long side.

By keeping that in mind, I’ve been encouraged to think more about “stripe.” It’s a word with a real-world meaning (aside from being a pattern, as on linens). In the real world, military and police forces have stripes on a uniform that “identify clearly” rank and power.

I’m interested in how “stripe” is used as a metaphor for earned experience or rank. Describing someone as having a “stripe” suggests a distinctive quality or trait. That way, “stripe” suggests a distinction, individuality, or uniqueness that sets someone apart.

We often hear the term “stripe” used in business, sports, and academia. We understand it as referring to “earned respect and recognition” and applied to someone who’s done good work and accomplished achievements.

I’m an informal writer who writes often. I’m always word-focused because English word usage and meanings are complex. Words often suggest much more than their basic descriptions, forcing me to consider sociology in general, historically, and in the present.

Dear Friends: It does make sense to appreciate the value of using striped linens. Diana